Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) is introducing language on the Senate floor to protect companion animals from theft and ensure that all dogs and cats used in research facilities are obtained through legitimate channels. Earlier this year, Sen. Akaka introduced the Pet Safety and Protection Act (S. 714). For years, Sen. Akaka has been trying to get this important bill passed to protect animals. Introducing the bill’s language on the Senate floor as an amendment to the Senate Farm Bill is another way of possibly getting the provisions of the Pet Safety and Protection Act implemented.

Sen. Akaka’s amendment would ensure that all dogs and cats used in research facilities are obtained through legitimate channels. It would require that animals involved in research are obtained legally, and it provides for a $1,000 fine for each violation. The new legislation specifies that permissible sources for obtaining dogs and cats for transfer to a research facility include: U.S. Department of Agriculture licensed dealers who bred or raised the animal (thus prohibiting dealers from obtaining random-source animals); publicly operated shelters, as long as the dog or cat was obtained from its legal owner (and was not brought in as a stray); and directly from a legal owner who has bred or raised the dog or cat or has owned the dog or cat for one year or longer (thus prohibiting “bunchers” from collecting animals for sale to research facilities). These important amendments will stop the unscrupulous conduct of dealers and bunchers who obtain animals from “free to a good home” ads or through other illegal measures and then sell them for a profit.